SUPER EASY BAKED ZITI
Baked ziti is a quick and easy dish to make for a weeknight supper but it is also a versatile dish that can be included in a buffet for a special occasion. Baked ziti can be a stand-alone main course accompanied only with a nice leafy-green salad or it can be a side dish to a meat or poultry entree. You can assemble the dish early in the day or even a day before you plan to serve it. Keep it refrigerated and, since it will be chilled, bake it for a little longer time than the recipe states or until it is brown and bubbly. Baked ziti is a wonderful VEGETARIAN dish but you can also add cooked ground beef or sausage to the sauce, if you desire.
Ingredients:
1 pound ziti, mostaccioli, or penne
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Salt and pepper
4 cups traditional marinara sauce or your favorite jarred sauce (or meat sauce).
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cook the pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
In a bowl combine the ricotta, eggs, 1 cup Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper; stir to combine.
Spread 1-1/2 cups of the sauce in the bottom of an 11 x 14-inch baking dish.
Add the cooked pasta evenly over the sauce.
Spread the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta.
Top with the remaining tomato sauce.
Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella.
Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until golden brown and BUBBLY.
If it has been prepped ahead and chilled, keep it in oven for an hour or more......make sure to preheat the oven to the 400 degrees.
(Some people just mix it all together in a large bowl or pot before putting in baking casserole; while others have more layers......)
THIS IS A GOOD SIMPLE VERSION WHICH IS DELICIOUS AND EASY TO MAKE.